New study shows how well Bespak inhaler valve delivers

Developer and manufacturer of medical devices, Bespak has released further data to support the use of of its "Easi-fill" Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) valve.

Designed specifically to assist regime assurance and deliver more expensive formulations in a single shot, Easi-fill offers the advantage over conventional valves of removing the need to "prime" the device.

Loss of prime is a common issue with all capillary retention valves fitted to pMDI inhalers because conventional pMDI valves rely on a metering chamber being refilled immediately after the last dose is fired. This means that a new inhaler, straight out of the box, needs to be "primed" by firing two or three shots before taking a dose.

Because some inhalers are used infrequently, and are often stored on their side or upside down and shaken whilst being carried, the chamber may partially empty before the device is used again. The means the patient should ideally fire one shot into the air to ensure the valve chamber is completely refilled from the main drug-pack reservoir.

Bespak says its Easi-fill valve requires no priming and ensures a full dose is delivered with a single actuation. The valve also helps improve dose content uniformity.

The latest study conducted under laboratory conditions at Bespak's premises in Milton Keynes, UK was conducted using an active suspension. The results confirmed that following the valve being fired in an inverted position, the pMDIs fitted with "Easi-fill" valves were able to immediately deliver a full dose, whereas a standard HFA valve requires additional actuations to re-prime itself.

The new valves are now on trial with a number of formulations and pharmaceutical companies. Full scale industrialisation and manufacture of the valve already underway.